No word from Armstrong, says anti-doping agency

Lance Armstrong lost his titles on August 23 after he declined to take the USADA case to arbitration.
Photo: Reuters

by
Bob Bensch

The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency says
Lance Armstrong
has not approached the organisation after The New York Times reported the cyclist was considering admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs.

The Times said that Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and barred for life from competing in Olympic sports, was talking to associates and anti-doping officials about a public admission to restore his competitive eligibility. The newspaper cited people with knowledge of the discussions.

WADA Director General David Howman said in a statement that the organisation had “read with interest" the article, but had yet to hear from Armstrong.

“To date, WADA had had no official approach from Mr Armstrong or his legal representatives, but – as with anyone involved in anti-doping violations – it would welcome any discussion that helps in the fight against doping in sport," Howman said.

Armstrong was banned for life from competing in sanctioned events by the US Anti-Doping Agency, which cited a career “fuelled from start to finish by doping" when it released a 202-page summary of its investigation into the rider and the US Postal Service cycling team on October 10.

Armstrong, who has denied using performance-enhancing drugs and blood infusions to further his cycling career, lost his titles on August 23 after he declined to take the USADA case to arbitration.

Armstrong had been in discussions with USADA chief executive Travis Tygart as he tried to get the lifetime ban reduced, the Times said, citing a person familiar with the situation.

Tim Herman, Armstrong’s attorney, denied his client was talking to Tygart and said he said he did not have knowledge of Armstrong’s decision to admit to doping, according to the newspaper.